Further studies on caprine and ovine mycoplasmas related toMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoides

Abstract

SUMMARYNine caprine and ovine mycoplasma strains, said to be indistinguishable serologically fromMycoplasma mycoidessubsp.mycoides(the causative organism of contagious bovine plouropneumonia; CBPP) were examined in mice by (1) a mycoplasmaemia test, and (2) a cross-protection test. Of the nine strains, two from goats belonged to a small colony (SC) type; four caprine and three ovine strains belonged to a large colony (LC) type.The two SC strains – like a single SC strain examined in an earlier study – were indistinguishable from genuineM. mycoidessubsp.mycoidesas isolated from CBPP. They produced mycoplasmaemia readily. In a cross-protection test, the two SC strains and a CBPP strain immunized completely against each other.Of the seven LC strains, six – like six LC strains examined in an earlier study – were easily distinguished from genuineM. mycoidessubsp.mycoides; except for one that was not tested, all were shown to lack the ability to produce mycoplasmaemia readily. In cross-protection tests all six strains immunized partially but not completely against a CBPP strain.The soventh LC strain (Mankefár 2833) was exceptional: it produced mycoplasmaemia readily, resembling tho SC strains in this respect. Like other LC strains, in cross-protection tests it protected only partially against a CBPP strain. Strain Mankef´r 2833 was isolated inca. 1005 by Brack from a Barbary sheep (Ammolragus lervia) in a German zoo.The ability of Mankefár 2833 to produce mycoplasmaemia enabled it to be used as a challenge strain in cross-protection tests. For the purpose of such tests the collection of nine mycoplasma strains referred to above was augmented with six LC strains from an earlier study. Partial but not complete protection against Mankefár 2833 was produced by two caprine SC strains, one CBPP strain, and nine LC strains. Three further LC strains gave protection that may have been as strong as that produced by the homologous strain, but confirmatory experiments are needed. A strain ofM. mycoidessubsp.caprigave no protection against Mankefár 2833.